Staveley Fell - One hazard exchanged for another!

Staveley Fell was one of the Outlying Fells I was desperate to get done before the bracken makes an appearance. AW warns that the bracken on the ridge impedes progress so at the tail end of April, I was expecting no more than green shoots. Of course I hadn't anticipated recent forest operations that made some of the walking more awkward then expected!

Surprising for its closeness to Windermere there is an abundance of parking in Staveley in Cartmel. For a
change I more or less followed the original route.

The track through the woods leaves Staveley in Cartmel beside a telephone box...

Kentmere Horseshoe Pt 2 - Making a long walk longer

This is an extension to a walk around the Kentmere Horseshoe.

My usual choice of route from Shipman Knott is to turn down the pass to Green Quarter, however today I was after three minor tops. It was a straight pull from the pass summit following the wall before descending towards Skeggles Water.

view back to Shipman Knotts from Hollow Moor... 

Kentmere Horseshoe Pt 1 - A Lakes Classic

It has been a few years (in fact 2010!) since I have last completed the full Kentmere Horseshoe, I did revisit the Kentmere Fells twice last year but not as a full expedition. So with probably the best forecast of the year so far, Kentmere was a temptation I couldn't refuse.

An early start meant I didn't meet anybody until between Froswick & Thornthwaite Beacon,
and he was asleep. Its not unusual to see a tent, but to see a small empty 'peapod' sized tent pitched right next to the path, with its occupant asleep on the grass is unusual!! I was tempted to give him a kick and check he was ok but thought it best to leave him. An RAF jet passed over shortly after and the over-sleeping camping sat up so at least he was still in the land of the living! His choice of a half empty litre bottle of water as a pillow I thought odd & uncomfortable!

My next encounter was a large party of students climbing from the the top of the Nan Bield Pass to Harter Fell, as with all large groups you get stragglers, one was getting encouragement from one of the group leaders. The fitter members under direction from another leader would wait for the few stragglers to catch up then march off. It became apparent that the fitter members where getting regular prolonged stops while the less fit members of the group weren't getting any - whats the chances of them venturing into the hills, they will most probably be put off for life!

A visit to Kentmere wont be complete without mentioning the lack of parking, the field that opens as a car park was gated (closed), with no evidence of a sign or bucket. Being early I was the first to arrive & park at the village hall (donation box), on my return the field was still closed and parking outside the village hall was full. Cars & vans had slotted themselves in various passing places and field openings!

Early morning, Kentmere & Badger Rock... 

Helvellyn - A circuit of Red Tarn timed to perfection

A friend asked me to take him over Striding Edge, not that you need an excuse! The forecast, depended on where you looked, it could go either way but I wasn't expecting a view. As it turned out the cloud lifted as we walked our way round and dropped behind, the rain started as we reached the car - a walk timed to perfection.

Birkhouse Moor...

Solway sunset on two wheels

Out of all the hills in the Lakes, the Caldbeck & Uldale Fells are probably considered the poor cousins to the other ranges. The views of the Scottish Coast over the Solway are hardly the most dramatic that Scotland has to offer, but one of the best times to view are at sunset - especially on two wheels

Climbing High Pike from Fellside, the sun getting low in the sky...

Crinan & Kilmartin Glen - A wander through history

The Crinan Canal is one of my favourite places, despite the tourist (I'm one!) hustle & bustle it is still a peaceful place. As the sun finally showed itself a wander up the Kilmartin Glen to grab photos of some of the ancient monuments, I've visited them before on a grey drab drizzly day.

Duke of Normandy II & VIC32...

In search of rusty metal on Islay & Jura

Sometimes the detail of an OS map brings up those little tantalising things that catch your eye. My other half describes me as 'sad' but I can sit there for hours looking at maps, studying their finest detail. On Jura's Explorer Sheet 355 (its one of those annoying double sided ones!), I noticed roughly a mile North of Feolin Ferry a waterwheel. Intrigued it looked worth a visit, it was also an excuse to stay on Jura for just a little while longer. If you also decide to extend your stay don't expect a 30 foot working wheel, because you will be decidedly disappointed!

While in the search of rusting iron a visit to the wreck of the Wyre Majestic on the Islay Shore of the Sound, just South of the Bunnahabhain Distillery, is well worth a visit.

CalMac's 'Isle of Arran' bound for Colonsay docked at Port Askaig...